25 Oct

How to build the perfect gravel garden

A gravel garden is an excellent low maintenance option that is relatively easy to prepare and design. Follow these guiding steps and you’ll have the perfect gravel garden in no time!

How to prepare the ground for a gravel garden

Before you think about laying any gravel, you’re going to need to prepare the ground correctly:

  1. Remove all plants, including weeds, from the area that your gravel garden will take up. If you want to keep any of the plants you remove, make sure that you don’t sever their roots and place them in planting pots for temporary storage whilst you finish your gravel garden.
     
  2. Add manure or compost in order to improve the fertility of the soil. Dig around 10cm deep using a rake or till in order to mix the compost and soil together. If you encounter any large stones, set them aside – you might want to incorporate them as a decorative stones in your gravel garden!
     
  3. Dig and install a border to separate your gravel garden from the rest of your lawn. You should look to dig around 10-15cm deep and install your edging so that it’s level with or just above the ground - this will help with drainage. Please note that this step is only necessary for dense soil types, such as clay.
     
  4. Install a weed membrane. Simply measure the area required and cut the weed membrane to size, leaving around 7.5cm overlap on each edge of your gravel garden. You should then weigh the edges of the membrane down using rocks or landscaping staples.

How to create your gravel garden

  1. Choose the garden gravel you want to use. Check out your local gravel suppliers to select the type of gravel you want to use for your gravel garden. Please note that around 40kg of 20mm gravel will cover one square metre at 2 inches deep. If your gravel garden is unevenly shaped, then measure a square around it and save leftover gravel for filling in any holes that appear later in the year.
     
  2. Place your plants in the desired positions. Once you’ve grouped your plants into the desired locations on your gravel garden, cut individual squares into the membrane large enough for each plants' roots once the flaps are folded back. Then, place the plants into their allotted section and fold the flaps back over the top of the soil before watering generously.
     
  3. Lay the gravel. Before you begin spreading your gravel, make sure that you place your focal points first, such as any large rocks or pots, wherever you want them. After these have been placed, you can commence spreading the garden gravel evenly over the membrane using a rake.

Follow these steps and you'll be left with the perfect gravel garden to show off to your friends and family.

We are your leading local gravel suppliers in Dorset. Browse our range of products online, available for delivery and collection, or contact our team today with any enquiries on 01258 857465.

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26 Jul
Decorative Stone uses in the garden
Decorative stones fulfill several different roles depending on your requirements – driveways, drainage or even just for style. Here’s some of the top uses for decorative stones: Paths, Patios & Driveways A driveway is the first area most people experience when they arrive at your home. Decorative stones for paths, patios and driveways is a great affordable and colourful alternative to tarmac. With a variety of sizes, colours and styles you can create a unique, beautiful and permanent arrangement for your driveways and patios that are both attractive and functional. Gravel and Shingle Gravel and shingle make excellent choices for driveways and paths due to their sturdy nature and the fact that they are one of the cheapest driveway options available. Outside of filling in the uneven surface every now and then, driveway gravel is largely low maintenance and free from cracking and sinking. Drainage Decorative stones make a great drainage material, designed to suit all sorts of ground conditions to help alleviate the risk of damage to your foundations and landscape that excess water can bring. Gravel and Shingle Gravel and shingle have excellent drainage properties, so if your garden is habitually waterlogged and causing suffering to your plants and flowers, the installation of a French drain using gravel or shingle will help the water drain away. Style With several different styles and in a range of different colours, you can find the right choice of decorative stones to provide aesthetic appeal. Pebbles Pebbles achieve their smooth round shape through natural shaping by running water. As such, they look perfectly at home as part of a garden water feature. Use pebbles in potted plants for visual enhancement. We are leading suppliers in Dorset for a broad range of products. For more information about our decorative stones and ways that you could use them in your garden, contact us on 01258 857465.
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30 Nov
Why you should consider driveway gravel
Your driveway is the first thing that a guest will encounter when approaching your home, which is why you want it to look good. Installing driveway gravel is a great cost-effective way to leave an impression and has a host of other benefits too. Attractive Driveway gravel looks more natural compared to alternatives such as tarmac and brick, which can run the risk of looking industrial. Driveway gravel holds a rural charm which can add a lot of character to both countryside and city homes. The addition of driveway gravel seems to compliment nature rather than suffocate it. We supply a broad range of driveway gravel in a range of colours and sizes, which means that chances are you’ll find the right gravel to compliment your home exterior in our store.   Cost-effective Driveway gravel is the most pocket-friendly option for filling driveways around. Not only is the installation of driveway gravel quick and cheap, it will also save you money in the long run, as maintenance costs are incredibly low. Unlike tarmac or brick, driveway gravel will not crack, and outside of rarely filling in holes with more low-cost gravel, it will last forever. Weather Resistant Other driveway options, like concrete and tarmac, react negatively to dramatic changes in temperature like frost, heavy rain and intense sunlight. Severe weather will often cause them to crack, especially when they cover a large surface area and they will end up fading in colour over time. This is why driveway gravel is a fantastic option, as it is pretty much impervious to the weather and requires no extra drainage assistance. All in all, driveway gravel is a fantastic option when it comes to laying your driveway that should not be overlooked. To find out more about the range of products we offer, from building materials and decorative stones to shingle & gravel and driveway materials, contact our team today on 01258 857465 or take a look at our special offers!
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23 Oct
Gardening tasks for Autumn
There’s plenty to do to prepare your garden during autumn for the impending winter, and indeed for next year. There are some things you simply won’t be able to do once the cold and wet does really set in. Clearing Leaves Probably the most obvious autumn job is to clear the leaves that will inevitable drop into your garden during this time of year. One trick for clearing leaves off your lawn is to run them over with your lawn mower, thereby shredding them and causing them to rot quicker. This simple technique is by far the easiest way to keep your lawn looking tidy, and should be done about once a week. For patios, paths, decking and other hard surfaces, it may be worth investing in a leaf blower. This one off purchase will make your life immeasurably easier, and will be well worth the cost. Blow the leaves onto the lawn and run them over when mowing, or alternatively blow them onto some tarpaulin to be collected up and added to your compost heap. You can even put the leaves in jars on their own, allowing them to form a fine kind of compost known as leaf mould. Protect Your Plants Of course there are plenty of hardier plants that will easily withstand the British winter, but it’s a good idea to bring indoors your more tender plants around this time of year. Once the frost comes, they’ll inevitably die if left outside. Turn Your Compost Heap All the tidying up will, of course, produce lots of material to be added to the heap, but it’s important to remember that the rate of decomposition will decrease in the colder months ahead. Turn the contents regularly to encourage them to rot down quickly. By following these simple steps, you can ensure your garden is spruced up and ready to brave the winter! To find out more about the range of products we offer, from building materials and decorative stones to shingle & gravel, soils and landscaping products, contact our team today on 01258 857465 or take a look at our special offers!
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Whether you need delivery to your doorstep or guidance choosing the perfect product, we’re here to help - offering expert support, transparent pricing and reliable service across Dorset and beyond. Don’t wait - get in touch with MB Wilkes today and discover why we’re the UK’s leading supplier of high‑quality aggregates now.
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15 May
Summer Gardening Tips and Tricks
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How to use decorative stones in your garden
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